Sing Three Times
Ideally, we should sing the entire melody, i.e., all three movements, three times over – corresponding to the three Leaders. This should be followed by the Alter Rebbe’s own melody [known as daled bavos, “Four Stanzas”].
Significance of the Names of the Rebbeim
1) The personal name of the Maggid is Dov Ber – first the Hebrew and then the Yiddish word for a “bear.” This name reflects on his having brought G-dliness into the lowest realms of physicality, which are alluded to by the bear – an animal described in the Talmud as being unusually “abundant in flesh” [representing extreme physicality].
2) The personal name of the Alter Rebbe is Shneur Zalman. The first name, Shneur, is a combination of shnay or, “two lights” – reflecting on the light of both the revealed and mystical dimension of Torah. These he revealed within “time and place” [the parameters of our mundane existence; an accomplishment alluded to in his second name, Zalman, the letters of which also spell lazman, “time”].
3) The personal name of the Mitteler Rebbe is also name Dov Ber, for the same reason as the Maggid. However, in the case of the Mitteler Rebbe, this elicitation of G-dliness was specifically associated with the teachings of Chabad; indeed, his teachings form the proverbial “broad expanses of the river” of Chabad Chasidus [i.e., he composed uniquely detailed clarifications and prolific elaborations of the themes expressed in Chabad teachings].
4) The personal name of the Tzemach Tzedek is Menachem Mendel – the very name and title of Moshiach...
5) The personal name of the Rebbe Maharash is Shmuel – associated with the vision of the prophetess Chanah and the birth of her son, the prophet Shmuel, all of which is described in the haftorah of Rosh Hashanah, concluding with the promise, “He will raise up the power of His anointed [Moshiach]...”
6) The personal name of the Rebbe Rashab is Shalom Dov Ber – indicating his having introduced the virtue of shalom, “peace,” even to the lowest realms of physicality – even to the proverbial bear who is so “abundant with flesh.” Further, his accomplishments extended not only to Dov, the “bear” as expressed in the Holy Tongue – but also to its lower manifestation, Ber, i.e., the “bear” expressed in a foreign, mundane tongue...
7) The personal name of the Rebbe, my father-in-law, is Yosef Yitzchak. These represent the coming together of two distinct tasks, as seen in the verses describing their origin: [When Yosef was born, Rachel declared] Yosef Hashem li ben acheir, “Hashem will add to me another son.” This describes the task of causing seemingly distant Jews to return to Torah observance. [When Yitzchok was born, Sarah exclaimed] Kol hashomei’a yitzachak li, “All who hear will laugh with joy for me.” This signifies a divine service marked by “laughter” and joy.
Shalosh Tenu’os
We should begin [singing the melodies of the Rebbeim] with the melody of the “three forefathers” of Chassidus [the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid and the Alter Rebbe. As its name suggests] this is a single melody comprised of shalosh tenu’os, “three movements” – one movement for each leader.
